THE WELSH Music Guild of Directors has named Emyr Afan OBE as Chair of the Board, effective October 2024. He will succeed Richard Thomas, who will remain on the board as Deputy Chair, after 13 years of service.
Thomas said: “Emyr Afan is an esteemed leader who has become an invaluable voice in Wales, and we are thrilled that he has agreed to assume the role of Chair.
“Drawing on his vast experience, Emyr will expertly guide the Welsh Music Guild into new ventures and is already creating top priority areas for the Board.
“We will benefit tremendously from Emyr Afan’s expertise and guidance, and we are lucky to have him as our next Chair.”
Afan said: “I am honoured to have the opportunity to serve as Chair of the Welsh Music Guild at this important moment in the Welsh Music Guild’s history and look forward very much towards building on the Guild’s great work over the next few years.
“I feel deeply privileged to follow in the footsteps of some of the highly respected broadcasters of our time such as Mervyn Williams, Geraint Stanley Jones and others like Aneurin Talfan Davies and Dr Terry James who have chaired the organisation that has been in existence since 1955.”
In 1995, Emyr Afan founded Afanti Media (formerly Avanti Media), and as Chief Executive Officer he has built one of the longest-standing and most successful TV production companies in Wales, with the company celebrating over 27 years in broadcasting.
A proven creative thinker and award-winning programme maker, Emyr has recently won two Baftas for Best Entertainment with ‘Luke Evans Showtime!’ and ‘Max Boyce at 80’. Afanti is currently Cardiff Business of the Year and Emyr has been nominated for a second year running as Entrepreneur of the Year at the Cardiff Business Awards.
Emyr is a keen musician himself, a former recording artist and classically-trained tenor who has this year been awarded an OBE for services to Media and Music in the King’s Birthday Honours List.
The Secretary of the Guild, Dr Jeremy Huw Williams BEM explained that the Welsh Music Guild is established for the purpose of advancing the education of the public by encouraging the understanding and appreciation of the music of composers of Welsh origin and the composers of any nationality resident in Wales.
The Guild will also encourage a high level of performance practice and foster awareness and observation of professional issues within Wales and to this end will encourage performers and musicologists to take an active role in workings of the Guild.
If you are Interested in joining the Welsh Music Guild as a member then contact The Welsh Music Guild, Tŷ Gwyn, 111 Heol Isaf, Radyr, Caerdydd. CF15 8DW.
